While Garmin users ask for a simpler device the company, there was information about Apple’s patent for perhaps the most complex watch design.
Apple’s patent, which was described by AppleInsider describes a wearable electronic device, such as a smartwatch, that has a display with an expandable screen size. The screen can be folded for compactness and unfolded. The text of the patent application talks about alternatives, such as sliding the display to increase the size, but most of the illustrations show a hinged mechanism as well as a second screen on hinges.
«The user may want the display to be expanded when using certain applications, making phone/video calls, playing games, browsing the web, etc. On the other hand, the user may want the display to be folded for convenience and portability, such as when the user is going about their daily activities, outdoor recreation, etc.», — the patent states.
The offer continues Apple’s move towards creating an Apple Watch that is completely independent of the iPhone. Initially, the Apple Watch was exclusively an addition to the iPhone and did not support cellular communication until the third generation. Then in 2019, Apple created its own App Store for the device. It seems that Apple’s strategy is to make the Watch fully autonomous.
Currently Apple Watch can be used as a viewfinder for the iPhone camera, but this application offers its own camera in the watch. Even two cameras are provided — the external camera can be used in a folded or unfolded state. In addition, the internal camera «can allow the user to use the wearable electronic device for various applications such as video or conference calls».
Considering Apple Watch size and its position on the user’s wrist, not in the hand, there is a problem of durability. The patent does not describe it, but the design does not seem very durable. Apple files a lot of patent applications every year, and they don’t guarantee that a real device will appear.
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